Board members last week okayed a recommendation from new superintendent Pat Hocking to change their regular monthly meetings to the second Thursday of the month. Board members also agreed with Hocking's recommendation to have a joint meeting with the Lisbon City Council in September, with the goal of having a combined meeting a couple of times a year.

In planning for the board's next regular meeting, Hocking proposed meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12. He said he and business manager Laurie Maher prefer Thursday meetings, which provide more preparation time. He added two other benefits: Mondays, the start of the school week, "are crazy"; and the move would not conflict with Lisbon City Council meetings.

The last point has been discussed on and off for a few years in Lisbon. The city council and school board used to meet on alternate Mondays, but a few years ago the school board moved its meeting date so both the city council and school board meet on the second Monday of the month. The city council also meets on the fourth Monday.

School board members agreed to the meeting change to Thursdays.

They also agreed to Hocking's recommendation to have a joint meeting with the city council.

Hocking said he's met with Lisbon mayor Beryl O'Connor, and both agreed the two local governments should meet.

As a newcomer to the community, Hocking said he thinks there could be improved communication between the city and school district.

Although a meeting hasn't been set, it will likely be sometime in the first two weeks of September.

Hocking recommends the city council and school board meet at least twice a year - once in the fall and once in the spring.